Electric switch



l. EATON.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED Aumzs. I9l9.

1,413,397. Patented Apr. 18, 1922.

2 SHEiTS-SHEET Inventor John Eaton His Attorney.

J. EATON.

ELECTRIC SWITVCH. APPLICATION msu mmzs. ms.

1,413,397, Patentad Apr. 18, 1922.

2 SNtETS-SHEET Z.

John ElabOn',

bywd H is Attorney voltage release.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN EATON, OF SCHENECTAIDY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC i COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SWITCH;

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr. 18, 1922.

Application filed August 25, 1919. Serial No. 319,743. 1 Y

i '0 all 21:72am i1 may concem Be it known that 1, JOHN EATON, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Schenectady: in the county of Schenec-. tady, State of ."ew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates'to electric switches and has for its object the provision of improved means whereby the switch may be operated in a safe, reliable and efficient manner.

In one of its aspects my invention relates to improvements in the operating mechanism of electromagnetic switches whereby provision is made for quick opening and quick positive closing of the electromagnetic switch in response to movement of manually operated means. Althou h not neces sarily limited to such use, my invention has a. particular application as a safety first type of enclosed switch. A manually operated switch in the coil circuit of the electromagnet is provided, and when used as a safety first type of enclosed switch locking mechanism coacts with the electro-ma netic switch, the coil circuit switch and the door of a casing for the switches whereby the door may not be unlocked without opening the switches. My invention also embodies'a novoltage release feature, whereby upon the failure of voltage the switches being resiliently connected will open. The electromagnetic switch does not close automatically since the coil switch is open and will remain open until closed manually. By this arrangement when my invention is used as a safety first type of enclosed switch the switchesmay be inspected and fuses re moved with safety since the switches are open when the door is open, and at the same time it provides a reliable no- But at all times, it is nec essary first to operate the locking mechanism, which opens said switches, before the door may be opened. WVhile on a failure of voltage, both of the switches are opened, the door is not unlocked, which feature makes it doubly sure that the switches are open when the door is open.

Other objects and purposes of my invention will appear in the course oi tin.- Followtion of Fig. 1 taken on the line 2-2 looking in the direction of the arrow 2. Pi 3 is a vertical section of Fig. 1 in which o door is shown in locked or closed position, Fig. 4 is a view similar to; Fig. 3 withthe door shown unlocked, Fig.- 5=is-a detaili of Fig. 1 takenon line 55 looking in the direction of the arrow, and Fig.6 is a diagram of the circuits. 4

Referring to the drawings,1 is a cas' provided with a door Qhinged at-3.-'- A' base 4 is secured within the casing, on-which is mounted an electroma'gnet 5'and stationary contacts 6, 6"-and 6 of a switch 6. The ar mature 7of said electromagnet is mounted on a rotatable shaft 8 which supports movable contact members 6", 6- and 6 of the switch 6.- Thus far I have described the msual: type' of electromagnetic switch, comprising the electromagnet '5- 'and "the switch 6, the operation of which is readily under, stood. Switch 6' should be mounted in an upright position to ensure proper operation of the same. On saidbase 4 are also mounted on-flexible supports the stationary'i contacts 9 and 9 of a switch 9 in the circuit of the electromagnet 5. 25 are fuses' of the usual type-in the circuit.

An operating member or handld 10,-outside of the casing 1, is rigidly secured to the shaft 11 which is rotatably mounted in the side 10 of the casing, and projects'into the casing as shown in Fi 1. Secured to the end of the shaft 11 wit in the casing'l, is a member 12 which forms a part of the locking mechanism to be hereinafter described. Se cured to the member 12 is a bar 13-, made of insulating material, which supportsthe movable contacts 9 and 9 of the switch 9. A lever 14, rigidly secured to the shaft 8 is resiliently connected to the member 13 in any suitable manner, as by a spring '15. The relative position of shaft 8' with respect to bar 13 is such that switch 9 will be closed while the contacts of switch 6 are still some illShLllHi apart. 'lhcret'orc the operation of the handle 10 with open and close the switches 9 and 6. When the handle 10 is moved from closed toward open circuit position tli'e'spri'ng 15 will be distorted by reason of the fact that shaft 8 is held with considerable force against rotation by coil 5. This will permit switch 9 to be opened thus opening the circuit to coil 5, spring 15 then forci'n'g switch 6 to open with a quick action. in case switch (3 should stick, it will be mechanically opened upon further movement'of the handle by the torque transmitted to shaftfi by spring 15. Movement of the handle to closed circuit position will close switch 9 ahead of switch 6 thus energizing coil 5 so that switch 6 closes with quick action, the switches being held in closed position by coil 5. When the coil circuit is closed the speed of. closing of switch 6 is taken out of the hands of the operator thereby making it practically impossible to prevent the switch from wipin home when it has once started to close. ff the handle is held by the operator in a position to just close th'ecoil circuit, switch 6 will move past the handle to closed position. Freezing or burning of the contacts due to light pressure is thereby-prevented. As shown in Fig; 3' stationary contacts 9 and 9 will nornmllybe depressed when switch 6 is closed, which will cause quick opening of switch 6 whenithe no-voltage release acts.

Bynthus operativelyconnecting the coil switch 9 and the electromagnetic switch 6. a special no-voltage release is acquired. On a failure ofv'oltage, the electromagnet 5 will become deenergized, and the armature 7 will drop to open osition in=a.well understood switches are open.

manner. "In-r roppingxto'open positiomthe.

armature 7- rotates' the shaft 8, -thereby open ing:theswitches (Sand 9. The switch 6 cannot-he closed automaticalty since the coil switch 9-is open. Before the switch (3 may again he closed the switch 9 must be closed through the operation of the handle 10. Although the movement of-the armature 7 has opened the switches 6 and 9, and to some extent moved the locking mechanism, it has not moved said mechanism snlliciently to unlock the door. For this reason also. the shaft 8 has-been resiliently connected to the member 13, :is described, to permit a slight further movement o1 the handle 10 to fully perate-the locking mechanism. after the The movement of the bundle 10 is limited by means of a notch 16 on said handle and a stop 17 secured to the ca ing 1projecting in the path of rotation of the handle within said notch, as shown in c 2.

The locking mechanism herein consists of the mcmbcr la and a member IS which is secured to the door 2 of the casing. Fl'iilll i rs. nn'l l it will by oli i-rviul llllli the liicililzci' I) is provided with .i 'lll'\t(l .lot

or opening 19 and that the edge 20 thereof is curved in design. It will also be seen that the upper portion of the member 18 is bent over forming a projection 21 which rests upon the edge 20 of the member 12. Therefore, when the several parts are as shown in Fig. 3, in which the door 2 is closed, and the switches 9 and 6 are in closed position, the door is locked by reason of the projection 21 engaging the ed c 20 of the member 12. The edge 20 of the member 12 is curved to correspond to the arc of a circle with shaft 8 as its center and a radius from said center to the projection 21, when the door is in closed position. Therefore, the handle 10 may be operated in a downward direction, until its movement is interrupted by the stop 17, at which point the member 12 is in the position 'shown in Fig. 4. Here it will be observed that the slot 19 corresponds to the arcdescribed by the projection 21 in its path of rotation by the opening and closing of the door 2. The movement of the member 12 before reaching the position shown has opened the switches 9 and 6. These switches are in the same position they assume on a failure of voltage although the door is yet locked, Therefore, the resilient connection 15. hasheen provided also to permit the further movement of the member 12 to the position shown in Fig. 4. This makes itnecessary always to operatethehandle 10,

which opens the switches before the door may be opncd. In this "position the ,door 2 may be opened, since the projection 21 is free to move in the slot 19. When the switches 9 and 6. are ,0 en apd member 12 hasbeen moved by ban le :lOzto theposition shown in Fig. 4, the door 2and members'ls and,.2 1 may bemoved tothe open position shown in dottedlines in Fig..4. In the last mentioned position it will be seen from the drawings, that'the member 1 2 is.loc ed in the position shown, in which mse the switches 9 and 6 are open, so long asthe door 2 is open, and that the member 12 ciinnotbe, restored to theposition shown in Fig} 3, in which case theswitches-fi and 6 are closed, until the door; 2 is closed and the parts assume the positionshown in .Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is adiagram of the circuits in which the handle 10 is shown in the position it assumes when the door is urilockech It will be observed that when the handle 10 is in this position, the coil switchQis open, which deenergizes the electromagnet o, permitting mechanism,

provisions of the patent statutes, it should,

be understood that I do not=limit-my invention the'reto,since ,warious modifications thereof will suggest. thQHISBlVGSwtO-tllOSB skilled: in the'artwvithout departing from thev spirit of'my inventionsthe scopezofwhich is set zforth. in. the annexed claims.

- What I claim asnewnand desireito secure byLetters Batent ofthe United ,States, is

:Thercombination with an electromagnetic switch of aimanually ioperated auxiliariy switch :in the circuitof; thfisfilQCtI'O- magnetic switch and la jresilienti connection a between said iswitchesiwhereby. the: auxiliary switch iisaindependently amaniially ioperated to open-the. icoilecimuitisvhereuponi the, ;elec,- 1 taro-magnetic switch iistopened YWltlt a quick actionwbytsai d resilientronneetionu l2 r1 2. l; The rcomhination; with s an electromagneticiswitchsofi aamanually operated auxils iary switchiimthe coil circuit-0t the electromagnetic ,switch}. and a, resilient-connection between ,the;; -saidswitches-whereby the;

switches are jointly manually operated until the law'riliary iswitch has closed the coil circuit of the electromagnetic switch, whereupon the electromagnetic switch is electromagnetically closed.

3. The combination with an electromagnetic switch of a manually operated auxiliary switch in the coil circuit of the electromagnetic switch, and a resilient connection between the said switches whereby the switches are jointly manually operated until the auxiliary switch has closed the coil circuit of the electromagnetic switch, whereupon the electromagnetic switch is electromagnetically closed, and the auxiliary switch is independently manually operated to open the coil circuit, whereupon the electromagnetic switch is opened with a quick action by said resilient connectioh.

4. The combination with a casing of a main switch in said casing, an electroma et in said casing having an armature, a s aft carrying the movable contacts 01 said. main switch attached to said armature, an auxiliary switch in the coil circuit of the electromagnet within said casing having an operating, handle without the casing, and a re silient connection between the operating handle and said shaft whereby the movable contacts of the main switch and auxiliary switch are jointly operated by the operatin handle until the auxiliary switch has closed the circuit of said eleetromagnet, whereupon the main switch is closed electromagnetically by movement of said armature, and the auxiliary switch is operated independently by iagra-m, have the operatin handle to open the coil circuit, whereupon 51c main switch is opened with a quick action by said resilient connection.

-5. The combination with a casing providedwith a dooigiof a normally open electromagnetic switch within the casing, a switch -in ,the coil circuit of the-electromagneticeswiteh within thecasing having air operating ,handle on the outside of the casing,and,a locking mechanism operated nesponsively to the movements of said electromagnetic switch and the handle whereby thQgntlOOl' cannot, be opened. unless the switches are opened.

'w fis-Thencombination with a casing providedawiitlna door of. a normally :open elec-z tromagneticnswitch within the- ;casing, a manuallyoperatedswitch in the coil circuit of the-electromagnetic switch i having an DIP- eratingdlandleion the outside of the casing, and 1a: locking mechanism operated by said liandleilforalocking ,3 the 2 door in closed Lpost fiion when cthe coil switch is closed i and permitting =the-- unlocking ofthe door after the coil switch is opened -7-. i;,Theacombination with a casing pro rided with a door. of a normallyaopen lelectnomagnetic, switch withinirthe casing, a

switch. iniitheicoil circuit; of the electro-- magnetic switch, an operating. handle outs ides-oft the easing, -means ,connecting the two switches for operating said switches responsively to the movement of said handle and a locking mechanism operated by said handle for locking the door in closed position when said switches are closed and permitting the unlocking of the door after the said switches are opened.

8. The combination with a casing provided with a door, of a normally open electromagnetic switch within the casing, a switch in the coil circuit of the electromagnetic switch having an operating handle on the outside of the casing, means connecting the two switches whereby, upon the failure of voltage, said switches will be opened by the dropping of the armature of the magnet to open position and remain open until the coil circuit is closed by said operating handle, and a locking mechanism operated by said handle for locking the door in closed position when the switches are closed and permitting the unlocking of the door after the switches are opened.

5). The combination with a casing provided with a door having a projection, of a normally open electromagnetic switch, a switch in the coil circuit of the electroma netic switch having an operating han e outside the casing, and a locking member operated responsively to the movements of said switches, disposed so as to arrest the movement of said projection so as to lock the door closed when the switches are closed, and provided with a slot in which said projection may move to permit the openin in the door when the switches are opened? H1. The combination with a casing provided with a door, of a normally open electromagnetic switch within the casing, a switch in the coil circuit/of the electro magnetic switch, an operating handle therefor on the outside of the casing, mechanism for locking the door responsively to the closing of the said switches by said operating handle, means connectin the two switches, the handle and the locliing mechanism \\-'here'u \,r upon ii failure of voltage, said switches will be opened and the handle moved by the dropping of the armature of the magnet to o'pen position, undafter the switches are thus opened it further movement of the handle unlocks the door.

11. The combination with a casing provided with u door,-of'a normally open switch within the casing, an operating handle therefor outside the casing, lockin mechanism comprising :3. member provided with a slot, the said member and switch operated responsively to the movement of the handle, :1 projectionon the door engaging the member to lock the door closed both when the switch is iclosed and when it is opened and a resilient connection between the switch and the handle whereby a further movement of the handle in the opening direction after the switch isiin normal open IDOSl'UOH permits the pro ection to more in the slots in said member so that the door mey'be opened.

12. The combination with a' casingprovided-with a door, of a normally open electromagnetic switch, a normally open-switch in the coil-circuit of the electromagnetic switch, 'a'nd operating handle for said switches outside the casing, locking mechanism comprising a member provided-with a: slot, said'member and saidswitches operated responsively to the movement of the handle, 'and'the nrm'n-tureof the' electromagnet, .a projection on the door enaging the member to lock the dobrvclos bo'th when the switches mreclosed and when the; are hrtheir' normally open positiome; resiliem connection between the electromagnetic.- switehundthe-handle wherebya further movement of the handleinthe opening direction aft-er the electromagnetic switch is in its normal open; position in response to either a failure of--voltage or bythe operation =of said handle, the projection is permitted to move in -the' slot in said member so that' the door'nnay be opened.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this' 23rd-diry of August, 1919.-

JOHN EATON. 

